Here is the AA playoff bracket. AA Playoff Bracket
Laurel Highlands - WinHopewell - Loss Susquehannock - Loss Holy Redeemer - Loss
Yes we did not play like we are capable nor achieve what we had hoped, but there is only 1 state champ and 7 great teams go home feeling like a loser, not to mention all the great teams who did not even go to York who felt like losers. I dont think you realize how great of an accomplishment it is to be in the Elite 8. Remember the joy you brought to your parents, school and community. Remember the excitement in getting to York, the fun you had along the way. Remember the thrill of victory and the pain of defeat. Learn from it, grow from it, and use it as fuel for the future and remember those feelings when we return to York. We will be back and we will be ready. Sit back and enjoy the memories you have created...they last forever. You are not losers, you are Champions!!!
McLane, Maplewood open PIAA volleyball Nov 07. 2008 12:08AM
General McLane first-year volleyball coach Mike Merriam hopes his team's magical season continues at the PIAA championships, which open today at Central York High School.
"Once you get there, anything is possible,'' Merriam said after the District 10 Class AA champion Lancers (21-1) defeated Laurel Highlands 3-1 in the first round of interdistrict play Tuesday at Penn State Behrend.
"We worked so hard to get here, and we made it. We're so excited,'' junior outside hitter Courtney Lydick said.
"To be one of the eight teams left in state, it's been like a miracle,'' Merriam said of the team that captured General McLane's first District 10 championship since 1982. PIAA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Return to states no surprise for Lancers From Meadville TribuneBy Lisa Byers -Nov 7, 2008 —
Building a respectable athletic program often takes time. But for General McLane head coach Mike Merriam and assistant coach Pat Regan, time has certainly been no object.
In just their first year as head and assistant coaches, Merriam and Regan have turned the Lancers into a state title contender. The District 10 Class AA championship will compete for their first state title beginning today at Central York High School.
The Lancers are making their first trip to the state quarterfinals since 1991 when they finished in the Elite Eight. Regan was the head coach at GM that year. General McLane was the state runner-up in 1977 and 78. “This has been exciting for us,” Regan said. “We knew all the pieces were there.”
But did Merriam or Regan ever expect to be playing for a state title?
“Mike asked me on the way back from districts if I ever thought we’d win the title,” Regan said. “I didn’t know if we’d win it, but I thought we could definitely challenge for it.
“Mike has done a good job at putting them together and keeping them believing in themselves.”
The Lancers will face a strong test at the state tournament where they will be matched up with Susquehannock, Holy Redeemer and Hopewell.
Susquehannock, ranked fourth in the state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association, was a perennial contender in Class AAA before moving down to Class AA this year. Hopewell is also an annual contender at the state tournament and comes into this year’s tourney ranked sixth in the state.
“The competition is going to be fierce,” Regan said. “Hopewell has a real nice team. They’re big and come at you from all over the net. Last year’s state champion (Merion Mercy) is also there.” Merion Mercy is ranked 14th in the nation by MaxPreps.
Not once this year, though, have the Lancers given up on a challenge. Just in the playoffs alone, General McLane has found its backs against the wall several times, but each time the Lancers have battled back to keep their remarkable season going. Don’t expect anything less of them this weekend.
“This team doesn’t quit,” Regan said. “That’s to their credit. They know whoever is out on that floor is going to do what they have to do. They don’t feel like there is a weak spot.”
That, too, has been a big key for the Lancers. One of General McLane’s strengths is its depth and Merriam and Regan are not afraid to tap into that resource even several times throughout a match. And the Lady Lancers have never questioned or argued the tactic.
In fact, Regan pointed out a situation during a match with rival Ft. LeBoeuf where Merriam opted to pull his senior middle hitter Mady Etzel and replace her with freshman Aspen Weber, who came in and played an outstanding match for the Lancers.
The following day, Etzel was the first player to acknowledge Weber’s performance on the team’s website. “It’s not a ‘me’ team,” Regan said. “It’s all about the team. It’s about whoever is going to step up and do what needs to be done. We’re very fortunate with that.”
With General McLane making its first trip to the “show” in 17 years, Merriam and Regan offered the Lancers pretty simple advice on how to handle the ambiance. “We just told them it’s a journey,” Regan said. “Have a good time. The object is to play the best volleyball you can. What happens, happens. But we want them to have fun. And part of having fun is playing the best we can play.” General McLane makes history...Lancers win date in PIAA pool play
BY BOB JARZOMSKI - Nov 05. 2008 12:37AM
General McLane has no tradition in PIAA volleyball, but the Lancers earned a chance to change that Tuesday night.
With junior hitter Courtney Lydick and senior setter Rachael Ruscitto leading the way with a big assist from the bench, District 10 AA champion McLane topped District 7 No. 4 seed Laurel Highlands 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 25-11 in the first round of interdistrict play at Penn State Behrend's Junker Center.
McLane (21-1), which last won a District 10 title in 1982, won the first two sets in nerve-racking style, the second when sophomore reserve outside hitter Valerie Majewski saved a ball that hit the net and rolled over for the winning point. After the Fillies took the third set, the Lancers won going away, all the way to Central York High School for this weekend's eight-team finals.
"We've been working so hard, but we still haven't played our best game, so watch out; we're really going to dominate,'' said Ruscitto, who had 26 assists.
"We knew we were going to come back; we always seem to,'' said the 6-foot Lydick, who lived up to her nickname "Kills" with 18 put-aways.
First-year coach Mike Merriam shook his head in disbelief.
"Every day, all year, these girls never cease to amaze me,'' Merriam said. "They can come back from two games down (like they did in the D-10 finals vs. Wilmington), or be down after a set, and they can turn it back on. That's what they did tonight, because Laurel Highlands is a great team.''
Merriam changed the lineup to get more blocking and offense, and it worked.
"We put in Valerie Majewski and Kelsey Passerotti, and they really stepped it up (Tuesday). The starters did their usual great job, but the kids off the bench really made the difference.'' "McLane rallies to earn spot in Class AA"
From Meadville TribuneBy Lisa Byers - Nov 5, 2008 —
HARBORCREEK — Tuesday night there was talk of a fall state title at General McLane and it had nothing to do with the football team.
The Lady Lancers volleyball team punched its ticket to the PIAA Class AA state championships last night with a thrilling 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 25-11 win over Laurel Highlands during regional play at Penn State Behrend’s Junker Center.
“Everybody at GM is walking a little taller now,” said McLane’s first-year head coach Mike Merriam. “And these girls are the reason why.”
The Lancers, who won their first District 10 title in 26 years on Saturday, begin play at the state tournament at Central York High School Friday. General McLane will play its first match at 9:40 a.m.
“This is like a dream that keeps getting better everyday,” Merriam said. “It’s another day we get to play volleyball. I love it; the girls love it. I wouldn’t want anything else.”
And it’s apparent the Lady Lancers didn’t either. General McLane had its backs against the wall several times during yesterday’s match against the Fillies. But like they did in a five-game win over Wilmington Saturday for the D-10 title, the Lancers never surrendered.
“That was such a good volleyball team,” Merriam said. “I give an awful lot of credit to Laurel Highlands. They are a heck of a volleyball team. We had to play our best volleyball to beat them and that’s a credit to them and our girls. It was an enjoyable match, I’m sure, for everyone to watch. It was just awesome.”
Of course, some of the credit goes to Merriam, who had to make a few adjustments throughout the match to find the perfect matchup against the Fillies.
“I changed a lot,” he said. “They had some girls hitting on the outside that we just couldn’t stop so we switched our lineup to give us a little better block and a little better defense. We got lucky; I got lucky. It worked.”
Courtney Lydick led the Lancers (21-1) with 18 kills. Becca Moore added nine kills and Mady Etzel and Kristin Fritz had six kills each. Setter Rachael Ruscitto had 26 assists.
Laurel Highlands - Win Hopewell - Loss Susquehannock - Loss Holy Redeemer - Loss
Yes we did not play like we are capable nor achieve what we had hoped, but there is only 1 state champ and 7 great teams go home feeling like a loser, not to mention all the great teams who did not even go to York who felt like losers. I dont think you realize how great of an accomplishment it is to be in the Elite 8. Remember the joy you brought to your parents, school and community. Remember the excitement in getting to York, the fun you had along the way. Remember the thrill of victory and the pain of defeat. Learn from it, grow from it, and use it as fuel for the future and remember those feelings when we return to York. We will be back and we will be ready. Sit back and enjoy the memories you have created...they last forever. You are not losers, you are Champions!!!
McLane, Maplewood open PIAA volleyball
Nov 07. 2008 12:08AM
General McLane first-year volleyball coach Mike Merriam hopes his team's magical season continues at the PIAA championships, which open today at Central York High School.
"Once you get there, anything is possible,'' Merriam said after the District 10 Class AA champion Lancers (21-1) defeated Laurel Highlands 3-1 in the first round of interdistrict play Tuesday at Penn State Behrend.
"We worked so hard to get here, and we made it. We're so excited,'' junior outside hitter Courtney Lydick said.
"To be one of the eight teams left in state, it's been like a miracle,'' Merriam said of the team that captured General McLane's first District 10 championship since 1982.
PIAA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Return to states no surprise for Lancers
From Meadville Tribune By Lisa Byers - Nov 7, 2008 —
Building a respectable athletic program often takes time. But for General McLane head coach Mike Merriam and assistant coach Pat Regan, time has certainly been no object.
In just their first year as head and assistant coaches, Merriam and Regan have turned the Lancers into a state title contender. The District 10 Class AA championship will compete for their first state title beginning today at Central York High School.
The Lancers are making their first trip to the state quarterfinals since 1991 when they finished in the Elite Eight. Regan was the head coach at GM that year. General McLane was the state runner-up in 1977 and 78. “This has been exciting for us,” Regan said. “We knew all the pieces were there.”
But did Merriam or Regan ever expect to be playing for a state title?
“Mike asked me on the way back from districts if I ever thought we’d win the title,” Regan said. “I didn’t know if we’d win it, but I thought we could definitely challenge for it.
“Mike has done a good job at putting them together and keeping them believing in themselves.”
The Lancers will face a strong test at the state tournament where they will be matched up with Susquehannock, Holy Redeemer and Hopewell.
Susquehannock, ranked fourth in the state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association, was a perennial contender in Class AAA before moving down to Class AA this year. Hopewell is also an annual contender at the state tournament and comes into this year’s tourney ranked sixth in the state.
“The competition is going to be fierce,” Regan said. “Hopewell has a real nice team. They’re big and come at you from all over the net. Last year’s state champion (Merion Mercy) is also there.” Merion Mercy is ranked 14th in the nation by MaxPreps.
Not once this year, though, have the Lancers given up on a challenge. Just in the playoffs alone, General McLane has found its backs against the wall several times, but each time the Lancers have battled back to keep their remarkable season going. Don’t expect anything less of them this weekend.
“This team doesn’t quit,” Regan said. “That’s to their credit. They know whoever is out on that floor is going to do what they have to do. They don’t feel like there is a weak spot.”
That, too, has been a big key for the Lancers. One of General McLane’s strengths is its depth and Merriam and Regan are not afraid to tap into that resource even several times throughout a match. And the Lady Lancers have never questioned or argued the tactic.
In fact, Regan pointed out a situation during a match with rival Ft. LeBoeuf where Merriam opted to pull his senior middle hitter Mady Etzel and replace her with freshman Aspen Weber, who came in and played an outstanding match for the Lancers.
The following day, Etzel was the first player to acknowledge Weber’s performance on the team’s website. “It’s not a ‘me’ team,” Regan said. “It’s all about the team. It’s about whoever is going to step up and do what needs to be done. We’re very fortunate with that.”
With General McLane making its first trip to the “show” in 17 years, Merriam and Regan offered the Lancers pretty simple advice on how to handle the ambiance. “We just told them it’s a journey,” Regan said. “Have a good time. The object is to play the best volleyball you can. What happens, happens. But we want them to have fun. And part of having fun is playing the best we can play.”
General McLane makes history...Lancers win date in PIAA pool play
BY BOB JARZOMSKI - Nov 05. 2008 12:37AM
General McLane has no tradition in PIAA volleyball, but the Lancers earned a chance to change that Tuesday night.
With junior hitter Courtney Lydick and senior setter Rachael Ruscitto leading the way with a big assist from the bench, District 10 AA champion McLane topped District 7 No. 4 seed Laurel Highlands 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 25-11 in the first round of interdistrict play at Penn State Behrend's Junker Center.
McLane (21-1), which last won a District 10 title in 1982, won the first two sets in nerve-racking style, the second when sophomore reserve outside hitter Valerie Majewski saved a ball that hit the net and rolled over for the winning point. After the Fillies took the third set, the Lancers won going away, all the way to Central York High School for this weekend's eight-team finals.
"We've been working so hard, but we still haven't played our best game, so watch out; we're really going to dominate,'' said Ruscitto, who had 26 assists.
"We knew we were going to come back; we always seem to,'' said the 6-foot Lydick, who lived up to her nickname "Kills" with 18 put-aways.
First-year coach Mike Merriam shook his head in disbelief.
"Every day, all year, these girls never cease to amaze me,'' Merriam said. "They can come back from two games down (like they did in the D-10 finals vs. Wilmington), or be down after a set, and they can turn it back on. That's what they did tonight, because Laurel Highlands is a great team.''
Merriam changed the lineup to get more blocking and offense, and it worked.
"We put in Valerie Majewski and Kelsey Passerotti, and they really stepped it up (Tuesday). The starters did their usual great job, but the kids off the bench really made the difference.''
"McLane rallies to earn spot in Class AA"
From Meadville Tribune By Lisa Byers - Nov 5, 2008 —
HARBORCREEK — Tuesday night there was talk of a fall state title at General McLane and it had nothing to do with the football team.
The Lady Lancers volleyball team punched its ticket to the PIAA Class AA state championships last night with a thrilling 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 25-11 win over Laurel Highlands during regional play at Penn State Behrend’s Junker Center.
“Everybody at GM is walking a little taller now,” said McLane’s first-year head coach Mike Merriam. “And these girls are the reason why.”
The Lancers, who won their first District 10 title in 26 years on Saturday, begin play at the state tournament at Central York High School Friday. General McLane will play its first match at 9:40 a.m.
“This is like a dream that keeps getting better everyday,” Merriam said. “It’s another day we get to play volleyball. I love it; the girls love it. I wouldn’t want anything else.”
And it’s apparent the Lady Lancers didn’t either. General McLane had its backs against the wall several times during yesterday’s match against the Fillies. But like they did in a five-game win over Wilmington Saturday for the D-10 title, the Lancers never surrendered.
“That was such a good volleyball team,” Merriam said. “I give an awful lot of credit to Laurel Highlands. They are a heck of a volleyball team. We had to play our best volleyball to beat them and that’s a credit to them and our girls. It was an enjoyable match, I’m sure, for everyone to watch. It was just awesome.”
Of course, some of the credit goes to Merriam, who had to make a few adjustments throughout the match to find the perfect matchup against the Fillies.
“I changed a lot,” he said. “They had some girls hitting on the outside that we just couldn’t stop so we switched our lineup to give us a little better block and a little better defense. We got lucky; I got lucky. It worked.”
Courtney Lydick led the Lancers (21-1) with 18 kills. Becca Moore added nine kills and Mady Etzel and Kristin Fritz had six kills each. Setter Rachael Ruscitto had 26 assists.